I have dwelt in detail about both the teams in many of my previous posts. Therefore, there is no point in highlighting strengths and weaknesses once again. I shall just highlight salient aspects of my impressions /assessment of both the teams based on performance till date.
India Vs Sri Lanka Final-Cricket World Cup 2011-Who Will Win?
India.
1. A shaky side which remains in doldrums right till the end and is always lucky to win because of mistakes of the opponents. Semifinal against Pakistan is a glaring example of in competencies.
2. Weak bowling could be a sore point. Munaf and Nehra will get flogged. Part time Spinners may not be very successful.
3. Poor fielding has become a habit now. Every thing is left to the gods.
4. Baggage of out of form players is still being carried. Virat (so called best fielder drops many catches of late),Gambhir, should be axed.
5. Body language of team sends out signals of under confidence, half heated approach to game and thus, players err on many occasions.
6. Batsmen still nibble at out going deliveries. They wasted their time in the nets. School boys also won’t repeat such mistakes if told once.
7. Batsmen have been showing lack of professional approach application and focus while batting. No body wants to stay at the crease. Do you remember how Gambhir stepped out to play the ball and how Dhoni walked few steps to play Wahab of Pakistan when he was on a hat trick?
8. There is nothing right for the team as on date. Even the little master is shaky now. Did you notice his uneasiness in playing Pakistan bowlers. We have never seen him so nervous. In earlier days, even Macgrah, Lee and Shane Warne never could bother him. Probably he would call it a day soon after the WC.
9. As a captain, Dhoni has shown immaturity many a times. His keeping standards are lowering day by day (missed a catch against Pakistan).
10. Dhoni has failed miserably as a batsman and as a leader. He gets lauded just because he is lucky to get few good players under him. I feel he should step down after the WC and pave way for the next incumbent.
11. Performance in all matches has been lack luster.Never has the team registered an emphatic win in style (less against minnows).
12. The tail enders bat as if in a festival match without any due respects to basics cricketing shots or dedication.
Sri Lanka
1. A well knit highly motivated outfit raring to topple the opponents. They have won all their matches in style and with supremacy less against New Zealand.
2. The top order is in excellent form and has lambasted all bowling attacks in the tournament. They play with discipline. Against England, the opening pair itself steered the team to victory. So far, the top order has not let the team down.
3. The batsmen are natural players and come out to stay at the crease and play as per the team strategy. They are not rash and take time to settle down. Jayawardena plays an anchor role and stabilizes the situation.
4. The bowlers really sting and restrict opponents from getting to a big score. Malinga is in tremendous form and too perfect with his in swing yorkers. Malinga along with Murali, Mendis and Mathews are the deadliest combination to scare any side. They have always ripped apart any batting side. The low economy levels of the bowlers speak of their consistency.
5. The fielding is not very good and wilts under pressure. Chamara and Mathews are the weak links (missed simple catches against England). They have effectes just 2 run outs in the tournament.
6. The lower/middle order has seldom been tested in the tournament. It is shaky and will cave in against good bowling. One of the weakest links of the team which can be exploited. with ease provided, their top order fails. Chamara and Angelo Mathews, though good batsmen have not been tested so far.
7. Sangakkara as a captain has been outstanding. Motivates his team and sets personal example. Top scorer in the tournament always leads from the front.
8. Playing in Mumbai, away from home crowds, can affect their morale.
9. The tail may not wag as it has never been tested so far.
10. Running between wickets is very poor. Players have been run out 5 times in the tournament.
11. Have used power plays very well.
Comparison
1. Indians comes out strong in batting. However, they are weaker in bowling. Both sides have a slump on the middle order.
2. Though, both the teams are average in fielding, India is a shade better.
3. Sri lanka have won all their matches (except against New Zealand) with ease and in a convincing manner. India have looked disjointed and struggled to win.
4. Sri Lankan batsmen in better form than Indian top order. Tharanga, Sangakara, Dilshan, Jayawardena are going great guns. Whereas, Gambhir , Kohli are put of form and only Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Raina Sehwag are in form.
5. Sangakara (playing his first WC) leads his side better than Dhoni.
6. Sri Lanka uses power plays better than India.
7. The pitch has been newly laid. Team reading it well will have an advantage.
8. Home crowd advantage for India.
9. It will be a contest between Zaheer and Malinga, Both captains Doni and Sangakara, Jayawardena and Tendulkar, Aswin and Murali.
10. The team which can hold it’s nerves, holds on to catches, effects run outs, bats well and fields well will win.
Likely scores.
1. If India bats first, they can score around 260 runs against tight Lankan bowling provided, they get around 50 runs in 5-6 overs. Chasing this total will be a challenging task for Sri Lanka.
2. If Sri Lanka bat first, they can score around 250 runs. However, chasing this total may be a daunting task for India.
Winner
Sri Lanka- 60% chances ……………India- 40% chances.